NIAID Taps NanoBio’s Adjuvant for Pandemic Influenza Vaccine

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For the second time in a year, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has contracted with NanoBio for access to its nanoemulsion (NE) adjuvant. The latest contract has a value of $5.5 million and could exceed $10 million, if all options are exercised.

The funding from NIAID will specifically support the research and development of NanoVax®-Panflu, which combines NanoBio’s NE adjuvant with a plant-based recombinant H5 pandemic influenza antigen. This adjuvanted vaccine has the potential to provide enhanced protection against infection by eliciting both mucosal and systemic immunity, according to the company.

“Our most recent studies at NanoBio have tested NE-adjuvanted vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and type 2 genital herpes (HSV2), two viruses that enter the body via mucosal sites,” said David Peralta, CEO of NanoBio. “The results of these studies very clearly demonstrate the ability of the NE adjuvant to elicit mucosal immunity and the important role this type of immunity plays in protecting against disease.”

The award includes a future option to test the NE adjuvant with an HIV vaccine. The vaccine will combine NanoBio’s NE adjuvant with recombinant HIV virus-like particles.

In December, NanoBio inked an agreement with the U.K.-based Health Protection Agency (HPA) to develop an intranasal anthrax vaccine also for the NIAID. Under that agreement, NanoBio contributed its NE adjuvant and delivery system for use with HPA’s antigen. The total initial value of that contract was $6.5 million, but it has the potential to reach up to $24 million, according to the company.